Kevin Garnett’s ability to draw the ire of opponents is only second to his skill and smarts on the basketball court. On Thursday night, he had all three working.

Not only did Garnett register 14 points and seven rebounds in the Boston Celtics' narrow 102-97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, he called out all of their plays while he did it. Speaking prior to the Nets’ win, coach Avery Johnson explained how Garnett sniffs out opponents’ plays and directs teammates to counter their offense.

The Boston Celtics defense is quarterbacked by Kevin Garnett, who uses his basketball knowledge to bark out instruction for teammates. (AP Photo)

“The funny thing is, I wish he would be quiet on the floor and not call out your plays,” Johnson said, according to ESPNNewYork.com. “He’s seen so much. We’ll call a play and he’ll say, ‘Joe (Johnson) is going over here and Deron (Williams) is going here.’ It’s not funny anymore, OK?”

Like any other league, the NBA has teams who run similar plays. There are variations on sets and differences in terminology, but, ultimately, there are only so many principles upon which to base an offense.

Garnett, 36, has seen his fair share of basketball. As a first-round pick straight out of high school in 1995, he’s been in the league for 17 seasons. That’s more than enough time to pick up a thing or two.

“As much as (Rajon) Rondo quarterbacks their offense, (Garnett) quarterbacks their defense,” Johnson said. “I like every now and then when we’ll surprise him with something, and then maybe he’ll look at the bench and curse the other coaches out, not me.”